When I write grant applications for the Iowa Composers Forum, I spend a lot of time making the argument that arts events greatly enrich a community’s quality of life. 

There are studies showing that the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s are greatly diminished in certain nursing home patients for several days after they visit an art exhibit.  Research has also shown that positive experiences help reduce stress, our perception of pain, and can even help the body heal.  I argue that music concerts provide a temporary, and much needed balm for those suffering from chronic physical pain and/or emotional distress.

But, in the end, it’s very hard, even for me, to argue that it’s more important for a granting agency to support an arts event over research that may help eradicate cancer, or programs that feed the hungry.

This past holiday weekend, my wife volunteered the entire family to work for a local church, handing out nutritious lunches to students who might not otherwise get one during the summer months.  We got bins of food from the church and distributed them in a parking lot next to the Marion Public Library.

When we arrived at the parking lot, a few kids were waiting for us and eagerly zoomed up to meet us on their bikes.  A few more families came, and we distributed the lunches to them.  Everyone had a job, my son gave out the sandwiches, my wife and I gave out the bags of fruit and side dishes, and my daughter kept statistics as to how many lunches were distributed.

After returning the unclaimed lunches to the church, I felt really good about spending a little time to serve our community.  I also was thankful for the perspective this opportunity provided for me and my family. 

Think about it for a second.  There are kids, right here, in our own community, that are going hungry.  Isn't that hard to fathom?  What if it was my own son and daughter in this situation? 

Thank goodness these programs exist and there are caring people working every day to provide basic core nutrition to kids in need.

I hope that we can do this again soon as a family.  It was definitely one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had in a long while.

Later that afternoon, when we had returned home, the stars aligned for a change.  My son took a nap (an all too rare occasion of late) and my daughter was playing with friends.  I picked up my pencil and, after weeks of inactivity, began working on the orchestration of my composition Tinged with Afterglow.  The events of the day had renewed and rejuvenated my creative spirit, a glowing effect I’m still feeling today. 

It’s important to have something to write music about…

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